3rd International Congress on Ethics and Tourism will be held in Krakow, Poland

The 3rd International Congress on Ethics and Tourism will be held on 27 – 28 April 2017 in Krakow, Poland. The sessions of the Congress will take place at the ICE Congress Center.

The 3rd International Congress on Ethics and Tourism will be held on 27 – 28 April 2017 in Krakow, Poland. The sessions of the Congress will take place at the ICE Congress Center.

Program Outline

Day 1: Thursday 27 April

14:00 โ€“ 14:30 Registration

14:30 โ€“ 15:00 Opening ceremony

15:00 โ€“ 15:30 Keynote speech

16:00 โ€“ 16:30 Coffee Break

16:30 โ€“ 18:00 SESSION 1: Tourism governance as a driver of the sustainability agenda


This session will explore policy frameworks and models of governance that can efficiently guide all tourism stakeholders in putting into practice a sustainable, responsible and ethical development of the sector. Examples of policies implemented at international, national, regional and local level shall illustrate how publicprivate partnerships which take into account the voices of the civil society can contribute to more accountable institutions and yield concrete results on the ground. This session will clearly demonstrate that a solid regulatory framework alone is not sufficient to push for the global sustainability agenda if the society at large does not take the ownership of the entire process.

20:00 Welcome reception

Day 2: Friday 28 April

09:30 โ€“ 11:00 SESSION 2: The imperative of advancing Tourism for All

This session will address the importance of facilitating Tourism for All so as to enable all people, whatever their abilities or socio-economic circumstances may be, to experience travel and tourism. The initiatives to be showcased will illustrate how Tourism for All, besides being an issue of human rights and equality, also entails major economic opportunities for tourism destinations. Inclusive tourism environments, products and services that cater for a wide spectrum of customersโ€™ needs attract more people with disabilities, families with children or the ageing population on the rise. Similarly, an inclusive and diverse work place can make tourism businesses more innovative, and therefore more competitive, by bringing in new perspectives of the market trends emerging within our societies.

11:00 โ€“11.30 Coffee Break

11:30 โ€“ 13:00 SESSION 3: Key challenges in managing destinationsโ€™ natural and cultural assets

The aim of this session is to discuss innovative and multi-stakeholder management models that enable destinations to preserve their natural and cultural resources for future generations, while boosting their economic potential and ensuring a quality visitor experience. The challenges to be addressed here within will range from issues such as climate change, biodiversity, renewable energies and energy efficiency, as well as socio-cultural changes brought about by tourism, to maintaining authenticity and managing overcrowding. While this panel will point out some potential negative impacts of tourism if managed unsustainably and without adequate planning, it will certainly illustrate its contribution to preserving natural and cultural resources and safeguarding our common heritage.

13:00 โ€“14:30 Lunch break

14:30 โ€“ 16:00 SESSION 4: Companies as champions of a responsible tourism supply chain

This session will feature successful stories of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) championed by the tourism industry, especially those which contribute to a sustainable and responsible supply chain throughout the sector. The panel will also highlight the linkages between ethical business practices with innovation, competiveness and the overall service quality. In addition, it will explore how the ever-growing new business models and startups can act as society leaders in advocating human rights, community wellbeing and environmental protection. The session will lastly demonstrate how the enterprises can do their bit in raising the awareness among their customers on responsible consumption habits and informed decision-making in travel and tourism.

16:00 โ€“16:15 Signing Ceremony of the Private Sector Commitment to the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism

Signing ceremony by a group of companies and trade associations which have in place sound CSR policies and strategies with regards to their day-to-day business operations. The signatories commit to observe the Code of Ethics, promote its principles among their partners, providers, staff and clients, and also to report to the World Committee on Tourism Ethics on concrete actions they are undertaking.

16:15 โ€“16:30 Conclusions of the 3rd International Congress on Ethics and Tourism

16:45 โ€“ 17:15 Closing remarks

Day 3: Saturday, 29 April

Social program and technical visits (TBC)

About the author

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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